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Korea Republic's search for new faces

For the past few years, the Korea Republic's young
footballers have been 'going west'. They are not hesitating
to reveal their dreams to play in Europe, which could be regarded a
little too ambitious in a country where modesty is a traditional
virtue.

Since the influx of foreign coaches and the subsequent exodus of
top players began at the turn of the century, those who ply their
trade in major leagues of the Old Continent have become the core of
the national team. The Premiership trio, namely Park Ji-Sung of
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur's Lee Young-Pyo, and Seol
Ki-Hyun of Fulham, have been an automatic choice for coach Huh
Jung-Moo.

However, with the trio struggling to find their form with their
respective clubs, barring Park who has returned to United's
squad in the spring, it is getting more and more difficult for Huh
to guarantee them places without taking into account their match
fitness. At the same time, the coach is left with a headache, as he
tries to build a team that can perform consistently with or without
his foreign-based players. And this is probably why Huh and his
coaching staff have been trying to cover almost every game in the
domestic league in a hope to unearth a new gem.

Emerging starsChunnam Dragons captain Kwak Tae-Hwi came into prominence
with his opening goal against Turkmenistan in February which
kick-started Korea Republic's qualifying campaign. The
26-year-old centre back, who had been a virtually unknown
substitute at FC Seoul until last summer, was a driving force in
Chunnam's FA Cup win last season, scoring the winner with a
spectacular volley in the first leg of the final against Pohang
Steelers back in December.

Kwak was ever-present in the Taeguk Warriors' title winning
East Asian Championship as well, again firing home the winner
against China PR. The only blemish so far is that he was injured
during the opening match of the K-League in March, although he is
expected to return in time for the qualifier against Jordan at home
next month.

Alongside Kwak, goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong made his
international debut in a friendly with Chile in January. Brought on
as a half-time substitute, the 23-year-old conceded the only goal
of the game after ten minutes but that proved to be a turning point
for the promising custodian, who also took part in the FIFA World
Youth Championship in 2005.

Jung went on to start in the first game of the Preliminary
Competition for South Africa 2010, and stood between the posts as
the hosts ran out 4-0 winners against Turkmenistan. Although he
missed two games in the East Asian Championship after conceding two
goals to China PR in the tournament's curtain raiser, Jung
returned to Shanghai in impressive fashion as Korea Republic held
their northern neighbours Korea DPR to a goalless draw last
month.

Park Won-Jae, Jung's former team-mate at Pohang until last
season, is nicknamed 'Park Ji-Sung for three seconds' - due
to his resemblance of appearance and playing style to the
Manchester United star. Although the hard-working utility man, who
plays on the left flank either as winger or defender, has not
started a game yet in the qualifying campaign, Park has proved
himself during the East Asian Championship and could well celebrate
his 24th birthday in style if Huh gives him another chance in the
game against Jordan.

Of course, there is still room for improvement for those
youngsters and they may need more time to establish themselves in
the national team. But until the moment Korea Republic will have
secured their seventh successive FIFA World Cup™ appearance next
year, Huh's search is set to be ongoing.